CHAPTER X.-CIVIL AND MILITARY HISTORY.-A.D. 1637-1639.

CHARLES I.

Disturbances in Scotland-Imposition of the English Book of Church Service on the Scots-Riot in Edinburgh from the attempt-Charles and Laud persist in enforcing the service-book in Scotland-The king's peremptory orders to that effect-The Bishop of Galloway mobbed in Edinburgh-Establishment of the "Four Tables" in Edinburgh-Proceedings of this form of national resistance-Its "Covenant"-Energy and effectiveness of its government-Its adherents called "Covenanters"-The Marquis of Hamilton commissioned by the king to quell the revolt-Hamilton's arrival in Scotland-Strength and resolution of the Covenanters-Hamilton unsuccessfully attempts to temporize-He negotiates with the Covenanters-His endeavours to set aside the Covenant-Shifting and double-dealing of Charles in these proceedings-Preparations on both sides for warGeneral assembly held at Glasgow-Marquis of Hamilton's conduct at the assembly as commissioner-His deceitful proposals on the part of the king-Alexander Henderson appointed moderator by the assemblyHamilton protests against its proceedings-His letter to the king describing the state of affairs-His account of the Scottish bishops and nobles-His denunciations of his country and its people-He attempts to dissolve the assembly-The assembly abolishes Episcopacy in Scotland-Active preparations for war-The Scottish soldiers in the Swedish army recalled-General Leslie appointed commander-in-chief of the CovenantersUnprepared condition of Charles for the war-His difficulties in raising supplies-Successful military operations of the Covenanters in Scotland-The Marquis of Hamilton sent with an army against them-Futility of the expedition-Charles repairs to the scene of action-The Covenanters encounter his troops on the Border -Negotiations between Charles and the Scots-Concessions of Charles-The armies disbanded-The Earl of Traquair succeeds Hamilton as royal commissioner-His instructions from the king-Preparations of Charles to renew the war-Hopeless prospect of his affairs.

Y this time the storm had arisen in the north. The new servicebook was sent out at the beginning of the year 1637, and appointed to be read in all Scotch churches from the Easter Sunday. The Scots maintained that the sovereign could not impose a liturgy without consent of their own parliament, and their murmurs were so loud that the experiment was put off from Easter to Sunday the 23d of July, when the dean of Edinburgh began to read the book in St. Giles's Kirk, which had been recently converted by Laud into a cathedral church. The people, fully prepared, had gathered in crowds from many parts. The archbishops and bishops, the lords of session, and the magistrates were all present by command. No sooner had the dean opened the service-book and begun to read, than the people filled the church with uproar, clapping their hands, uttering execrations and outcries, raising a hideous noise and hubbub. The Bishop of Edinburgh, who was to preach that day, stepped into the pulpit, and tried to appease the tumult by reminding them of the holiness of the place; but this increased the storm instead of allaying it, and presently a joint-stool was thrown at the bishop's head, but diverted by the hand of one present-luckily diverted-for, though thrown by the arm of a woman, it was thrown with such vigour, that the general opinion was, that had it hit him, supposing his skull to be only of ordi

nary thickness, the stool must have killed the bishop. Sticks, stones, dirt followed the stool, with cries of "Down with the priest of Baal!" "A pape, a pape!" "Antichrist!" "Thrapple him!" "Stone him!" The Archbishop of St. Andrews (lord-chancellor), and other great persons, then attempted to restore order, but they had no reverence from the multitude, who cursed them, together with the bishop and dean. Then the provost, the baillies, and others of the city authorities, came forth from their places, and with much ado and in terrible confusion cleared the church of the chief of those people that had made the tumult, and shut the church doors against them. And the dean began to read the service anew, but such were the outcries, rapping at the doors, throwing in of stones at the windows, by the multitude without, who still kept crying "A pape, a pape!" "Antichrist!" "Pull him down!" that the baillies of the city were again obliged to leave their places to appease the fury. At last the service and sermon were both ended, but not the people's rage: the Bishop of Edinburgh, who had preached the sermon, on leaving the church for his residence, distant not many paces, was surrounded by the multitude, cast down and nearly trodden to death. The same morning the new service was read in another church adjoining to St. Giles's, yet not without a tumult, and in the Gray friars' Church the Bishop-elect of Argyle, who began to read it, was hooted and threatened, and forced to give

over after coming to the confession and absolu- | many difficulties. But Laud and Charles would tion.

Between morning and afternoon service the provost and baillies of Edinburgh were summoned before the privy council, who assembled at the lord-chancellor's, and undertook to do their utmost for the peaceable reading of the prayers in the afternoon. Accordingly the churches were kept tolerably quiet by keeping out the people altogether; but after service the tumult was far greater than in the morning; and the Earl of Roxburgh, lord-privy seal, who undertook to carry the bishop home from St. Giles's in his coach, was so pelted with stones, and so pressed upon by the mob, who wanted to drag out the "priest of Baal," that he was obliged to order his footmen and numerous attendants to draw their swords; and thus he and the bishop at last got into the palace of Holyrood, covered with dirt and curses.

listen to no complaints against the new bishops; and, urged on by them, the Scottish council issued a decree of "horning," or banishment, against all such ministers as refused to receive the new Book of Common Prayer, "out of curiosity and singularity." Alexander Henderson, minister at Leuchars, Mr. John Hamilton, minister at Newburn, and Mr. James Bruce, minister of Kingsbarns, petitioned against this harsh sentence with great good sense and moderation, and with a total abstinence from fanaticism. They told the lords of secret council that they had been willing enough to receive the said books to read them beforehand, in order to see what doctrine they contained, without which knowledge they could not adopt them; that, in the matters of God's worship, they were not bound to blind obedience to any man; that the said Book of Common On the following day the council issued a pro- Prayer was neither authorized by the general clamation in detestation of this tumult, and to assembly, the representative kirk of the kingforbid all tumultuous meetings and concourse of dom, which ever since the Reformation had given people to Edinburgh, upon pain of death. The directions in matters of worship, nor by any act magistrates pretended to deplore the disturban- of parliament, which had been ever thought neces; and they stated that no persons of quality cessary in high matters of this kind; that they, had appeared in them. In truth, the rioters had upon a competent allowance of time, would unbeen for the most part women and children of the dertake to prove it departed widely from the poorest condition. The town council, however, doctrine of the Reformation, and in points most thought fit to suspend the reading of the new material came near to the Church of Rome; service till his majesty's further pleasure should and, finally, that the people of Scotland had been be known, seeing it was so dangerous to the otherwise taught by themselves and their predereaders. For this they were harshly rebuked cessors in the pulpit, and, therefore, it was likely by Laud, who told them, through the Earl of that they would be found averse to the sudden Traquair, Lord-treasurer for Scotland, that his change, even if their pastors adopted it. Laud's majesty took it very ill that the business con- own bishop, the Bishop of Ross, gave a very cerning the establishment of the service-book short answer to these petitioners. He told them had been so weakly carried, and had great rea- that, while they pretended ignorance of what was son to think himself and his government dishon- contained in the book, it appeared by their many oured by the late tumult in Edinburgh. "And, objections and exceptions to it, that they were therefore," continues the English primate, "his but too well read in it, albeit they had abused it majesty expects that your lordship and the rest pitifully. He assured the ministers that the serof the honourable council set yourselves to it, vice-book was neither superstitious nor idolathat the Liturgy may be established orderly, and trous, but, on the contrary, one of the most with peace to repair what hath been done amiss."" "" orthodox and perfect liturgies in the Christian At the same time several of the Scottish lords, church, and that therefore they must accept it, not content with denying all share in the prayer- and read it, or bide their horning.* book, quarrelled violently with the new bishops and the most stirring of the anti-Presbyterian | old town, sent down orders for the removing of clergy. Traquair himself complained to the Marquis of Hamilton, who was at court, and still high in the royal favour, that some of the leading men among them were so violent and forward, had such a want of right understanding how to compass business of this nature and weight, that they bred the Scottish government

Whitelock; Rushworth.

2 Laud's letter to Traquatr, in Rushworth. Some slight alterations had been made in the Scottish Liturgy-hence Laud said that it was their own.

Charles, to punish the inhabitants of the good

the term, or session, and the council of government from Edinburgh to Linlithgow, the next term to Stirling, the next to Dundee, &c., together with a fresh proclamation, commanding the Presbyterians to disperse immediately, and return to their homes, under pain of being treated as wicked and rebellious subjects, and with an order for calling in and burning a seditious book, entitled A Dispute against the English Popish

3 Letter from Traquair to Hamilton, in Burnet's Memoirs of Dukes of Hamilton. A Rushworth.

Ceremonies, obtruded upon the Kirk of Scotland. sisting respectively of lords, gentlemen, ministers, The council would have delayed the publication and burgesses, and which were to be fixed perof the arbitrary decrees; but Charles's orders manently in the capital. With these tables in were peremptory, and they were all read at the Edinburgh there corresponded lesser tables, or market-cross. The Earl of Traquair communi- sub-committees, in the country, a constant comcated a part of the immediate result to the Mar- munication being established among them all. quis of Hamilton. "The noblemen," says he, "the Above all these tables was a general table, which gentry, and commissioners from presbyteries and consisted of members taken from each, and which burghs, seemed to acquiesce herewith, and every was intrusted with something very like a supreme man, in a very peaceable manner, to give obedi- executive power. In the course of a very few ence to the tenor of the proclamation; but the weeks these tables were looked up to with far next day thereafter, the town of Edinburgh, or, more respect than the paltry government, and as our new magistrates call it, the rascally peo- they exercised an uncontrolled authority over ple of Edinburgh (although their sisters, wives, the greater part of Scotland. It has been well children, and near kinsmen, were the special said that a better scheme for organizing insuractors), rose in such a barbarous manner, as the rection could not easily have been devised. The like has never been seen in this kingdom, set contrivers of it, and the leading members of the upon the Bishop of Galloway, and with great permanent committee, were the Lords Rothes, difficulty was he rescued into the large council- Balmerino, Lindsay, Lothian, Loudon, Yester, house." At last, the gentlemen and clergymen and Cranston. While the king was determined to who had come up to present the petition, and cede nothing, the Presbyterians now almost daily who had been opprobriously ordered out of the advanced their demands, and pressed them with town, used their good offices to prevent blood- increasing pertinacity and boldness. The lordshed, and, by their influence and persuasion, res- treasurer, the Earl of Traquair, was summoned cued the bishop, the council, and the magistrates up to London by Charles, who examined him from the hands of the rioters. It was observed, sharply, and then sent him back-though his however, that the friends and relations of these sincerity was much doubted—with still harsher very magistrates were in the mob; that citizens and more despotic instructions. Traquair was enof the best repute, with their wives and their joined, or bound by an oath, to keep these things sisters, were actively engaged, and that many secret till the very moment when they should be well-known gentlemen openly joined the people announced by proclamation at Stirling; but the in their cries and denunciations. It was, there- contents of the proclamation were divulged imfore, no longer possible to represent the disaffec- mediately, upon which the tables put themselves tion as a thing of no consequence-as a mere into a state of preparation. The members of the outbreak of the lowest and poorest, who might sub-committees were summoned from all parts to easily be brought to reason by a little hanging meet at Edinburgh and Stirling. To disperse them and scourging. And nearly at the same time and the multitudes that flocked with them, Trathe city of Glasgow became the scene of a simi- quair, on the 19th of February, caused the king's lar rising against the prayer-book and Episco- proclamation to be read at Stirling, where the pacy. But Charles and Laud, though warned by council was then sitting, "condemning their irrethe Scottish ministers of the fierce and dangerous gular proceedings; imputing them rather to prespirit of the people-of the daily accession to posterous zeal than to disaffection or disloyalty; their cause of men of rank and ability-of the remitting past offences to such as should obey defenceless state of Edinburgh Castle and the his majesty's commands; discharging all future other fortresses-of the poverty of the exchequer meetings, on pain of treason; forbidding them to -were resolved to go "thorough," and that too repair to Stirling, or any other place, where the without admitting of any delay. Apprehending council and session sat, without notifying their that the king meant to deprive Edinburgh for business, and obtaining leave from the council; ever of its honours and advantages as the seat of and ordering strangers of all ranks to quit the government, the citizens of that ancient capital place within six hours after the proclamation, became more incensed than ever; and it was soon under the same penalty." But the herald had made to appear that Charles had committed a scarcely done reading this proclamation, when fatal mistake in exciting their jealousy in this the Lords Hume and Lindsay, acting for the particular. Before the removal of the session tables, published with equal solemnity, a counterfrom Linlithgow to Stirling, the "Four Tables," or proclamation, which was then fixed to the marboards, as we should now call them, were estab-ket-cross at Stirling, and copies of it sent to be lished with the acquiescence of the Scottish council, which were representative committees, con1 Hardwicke State Papers.

read and affixed in Edinburgh and Linlithgow. Traquair, who had foreseen the mischief, wrote to Hamilton, that his majesty must now "per

1

warned, a fire of pulpit-batteries was opened from John o' Groat's House to the Cheviot Hills-from Aberdeen to Tobermory, and the COVENANT was spoken in its thunder. The people were roused and excited to the utmost; all ranks and ages hailed the pledge of liberty and salvation, and the Covenant was signed on the Sabbath in every parish with shouts, tears of joy or contrition, and hearty embraces. Traquair pointed out the only means of averting the storm. "If," says his lordship, "his majesty would be pleased to free them, or give them an assurance that no novelty of religion shall be brought upon them, it is like the most part of the wisest sort will be quiet; but, without this there is no obedience to be expected in this part of the world; and, in my judgment, no assurance can be given them hereof, but by freeing them of the service-book and Book of Canons."2

ceive how much all sorts and qualities of people | west and north, the popular preachers were all of Scotland were commoved." The Presbyterians, being now openly joined by the most powerful and popular noblemen of the kingdom, and even by several members of Charles's government, proceeded boldly to frame and subscribe their celebrated National Covenant, whereby they undertook to maintain, at all hazards, the old form of worship; to maintain the Confession of Faith subscribed by Charles's father and household, and all ranks of people, in 1580 and 1581, and again in 1590. The name was adopted from the covenants of Israel with God; and the nature of the obligation was derived from the bonds of mutual defence and maintenance peculiar to the nation; but the word covenant had a most significant and holy sense in the ears of the Scottish people, who knew that that form of association had carried their ancestors triumphantly through their struggle with the Papistry. The tables, or standing and well-organized committees, now summoned every Scotsman who valued his kirk to repair to the capital, there to observe a solemn fast as a fitting preparation for the renewal of the Covenant. The call was obeyed everywhere, and Edinburgh was presently crowded and crammed with fiery Presbyterians, who generally travelled with good broad-swords. Upon the appointed day, the 1st of March, they took undisputed possession of the High or St. Giles's Kirk, which, in their notions, had been profaned by the preaching and praying of Laud's dean and bishop. After fervent prayers and exhortations the new Covenant was produced; the congregation rose, and nobles, gentry, clergy, and burgesses, with hands raised towards heaven, swore to its contents. This memorable deed had been prepared by Alexander Henderson, one of the four ministers whose petition had been so rudely answered by the Bishop of Ross, and by Archibald Johnston, an advocate, and the great legal adviser of the party. It had also been revised by the Lords Balmerino, Loudon, and Rothes. Whatever other defects there may have been in the composition, there was no want of power. It was, indeed, most skilfully adapted for acting upon a proud, a devout, and enthusiastic people, who were about equally proud of their national independence and their national kirk.

A few creatures of the court saw in all this mighty enthusiasm nothing more serious than a brief fanatic outbreak, and they assured Charles, who ought to have remembered the history of his grandmother and of his great-grandmother, that it would be easily dashed and dissipated. This was miserably to misunderstand the character of the Scottish people. Copies of the deed were despatched to the different counties in the 1 Hardwicke State Papers.

But still Charles and Laud disregarded the warning, and were determined to impose the Common Prayer-book upon the people of Scotland by force of arms. The great meeting of the Covenanters at Edinburgh dissolved tranquilly; but they left commissioners behind them, and established such intelligence among themselves and with all parts of the country, that they could meet and come together at the shortest notice. The Covenanters knew their strength and the mighty power they had in the sympathies of the Puritans in the south; and they began to assert that they were as well friended in England as the king himself. Wherever they encountered opposition from any Scottish subjects, they threatened them with their high displeasure and the curse of the true kirk; nor did they always limit themselves to threats, particularly when any of Laud's ministers (his bishops had all run away) fell into their hands. There were fierce riots at Lanark and other towns. In some places men were thrown into prison, or put in the stocks, for refusing to sign. In the west country, where Presbyterianism was the warmest, they would give no traveller or passenger either meat, drink, or lodging for his money, until he first gave them assurance that he was an adherent to the Covenant.

Traquair repeatedly urged that his majesty should hear some of his Scottish ministers and servants before making up his mind, or "concluding fully" as to what course he ought to take at this crisis; but, without hearing any such— nay, without advising with his English council, or with any English servant of government, except his fatal Laud-Charles himself drew up a

66

commission for the Marquis of Hamilton, who | no otherwise by us but as a rebellious people: was ordered to proceed with all haste to reduce for the doing thereof, we will not only save you that "rascally people" to order. Hamilton was harmless, but account it as acceptable service done hereby instructed to read the royal proclamation us."2 Having received his instructions and comwhich he bore to the lords of the Scottish coun- mission, Hamilton took leave of the king, who cil, previously to publishing it, and to exact, if ordered him to write often to himself and the he chose, a solemn oath from each member of Archbishop of Canterbury, he being the only that council to do his best to execute the procla- English person entrusted with the secrets of the mation.' If any body should protest against this Scottish affairs. On the 3d of June Hamilton royal proclamation, he was to treat him as a arrived at Berwick, where the Earl of Roxburgh rebel, and apprehend him, if possible. He was to met him, and told him how small were his hopes give a bold negative to any petitions that might of success. The marquis, when he came to Berwick, had expected to find a great company of noblemen and others to receive him and attend him as the king's high commissioner; and he had especially counted upon his own kindred and vassals, or tenantry; but all failed him, except some very few who had not subscribed the Covenant, and they inconsiderable: for the tables of the Covenanters required that none who had taken the Covenant should give any attendance upon the marquis." With a heavy heart, Hamilton went on to Dalkeith, where he was received by the lords of the secret council, by some of the lords of session, and troops of the nobility and gentry who had not subscribed. On his way from Dalkeith he was met by the whole body of the nobility and gentry of the Covenanters that were residents of the capital and neighbourhood. They were all mounted on horseback, and consisted of several thousands-more calculated, no doubt, to overawe than to testify respect. And as the marquis drew still nearer to Edinburgh, he saw a small hill blackened all over with Geneva cloaks-for 500 Presbyterian preachers, on foot, had there taken their post, and had appointed "the strongest in voice and austerest in countenance to make him a short welcome; but this the marquis avoided."

be presented by the Covenanters, both in respect of the matter, and as coming from an unacknowledged and illegal association. He was not to press for the exact execution of Laud's church orders for the present, but he was to take good care not to promise their abrogation. He was to allow the Scots six weeks to renounce the Covenant, and, if he found cause, less. "You shall deolare," continues the king, "that if there be no sufficient strength within the kingdom to force the refractory to obedience, power shall come from England, and that myself will come in person with them, being resolved to hazard my life, rather than to suffer authority to be contemned. . . . If you cannot (by the means prescribed by us) bring back the refractory and seditious to due obedience, we do not only give you authority, but command all hostile acts whatsoever to be used against them, they having deserved to be used

1 One of the great provocations was the removal of the courts, &c., from the capital; yet Charles says-"We give you power to cause the council to sit in whatsoever place you shall find most convenient for our service, Edinburgh only excepted, and to change the meeting thereof as often as occaison shall require." In another clause he says, "Whenever the town of Edinburgh

As soon as Hamilton was settled at Holyrood, he asked the Covenanters what would satisfy them and induce them to renounce their league. They answered, nothing but a general assembly and a parliament, and instantly clapped new guards upon Edinburgh Castle, and multiplied the guards and watches of the city. At the same time the preachers advised the people to take heed of crafty propositions; and when the mar quis proposed hearing Divine service in the king's chapel, they sent to tell him that he must not read the English service-book; and they nailed up the organ, which they considered as an abomination unto the Lord. A few days after they wrote a letter to the marquis, admonishing him

shall depart from the Covenant, and petition for our favour,
then we will that you bring back the council and session to it
2 Rushworth.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid; Baillie's Letters.

5 The ministers whom Wentworth had so tyrannically driven out of Ulster were now taking their revenge, and informing the people of Scotland of the crafty propositions and broken pro