Biography of Patrick Hepburn 1st Earl Bothwell 1452-1508

Collectanea by John Leland. On St. Pauls Day in January in the Year of our Lord God 1503 [25th January 1503], in the Kings Royal Manor of Richmond, wer the Fyancells of the right Highe and Mighty and right Excellent Prlnce and Princese James King of Scotts and Margaret eldest Daughter of our Soveraigne Lord Henry the Seventh, by the Grace of God King of England and of Fraunce, and Lord of Ireland, as esueth.

After long and deliberate Communicacion and Conclusion had, accorded, and concluded betwene the Two Kings, theyr Councells, Ambassadours, and Commissioners, King Henry sent for the Substance of the Lords, both Spiritual and Temporall, that were neare to London, to be present at the said intended Solempnitye.

On St. Pauls Day aforesaide the King and Queen with their noble Children, except the Prince, heard High Masse, and after that a notable Sermon made by the Reverend Fader the Lorde Richard Fitz James, Bishop of Chichester, at wich Tyme the saide King and Queen wer accompaynyed with: the Duke of York, the Kings Second Son, the Lady Mary, the Kiogs Second Daughter, The Popes Orator, Don Peter de Yaule, Embassador of Spayne, the Archbishop of Glasco, the Earl of Bothwell (age 51), the Elect of Murray, [the last three being the] Ambassadors and Commisioners of Scotland, with many other Knights and Esquiers, the Embassador of Venice, called Messire Francisco de Capello, Knight, a Gent. of the French Kings, called L'Esquier Poland, The Popes Collector, with diverse other Strangiers.

Lords Spirituall of this Realme. The Lord Henry Den, Archbishop of Canterbery, the Lord Thomas Savage, Archbishop of Yorke (age 54), the Lord Rich. Fox, Bishop of Winchester, the Lord John Arundell, Bishop of Chester, the Lord Rich. Fitz James, Bishop of Rochester, the Lord Rich. Nikk, Bishop of Norwiche.

Lords Temporal: the Duke of Buckingham Edward, the Marquis of Dorset (age 25) Thomas, the Earle of Arundell Thomas, the Earle of Northumberland (age 25) Henry, the Earle of Derby Thomas, High Constable of England, the Earle of Surrey Thomas, Trezerer of England the Earle of Essex Henry, the Earle of Ormond Thomas, the Lord Maltravers, the Lo. Strange, the Lo. William of Devonshire, the Lo. Howard, the Lo. Dawbeney, the Kings Chamberlyn, the Lo. Brooke, Steward of the Kings House, the Lord of Bergavenny, the Lo. Mountjoy, the Lo. Dacre of the North, the Lo. William of Suffolke, the Lo. Lawarre, Sir Thomas Stanly.

Ladyes: the Lady Mary (age 6), the Kings Daughter, the Duchesse of Norfolke, the Lady Katheren the Q. Sister, the Lady Marques of Dorset, the Countes of Essex (age 29), the Vicountesse Lisle, the Lady Herberd, the Lady Grey of Wilton, the Lady Ann Percye, the Lady Katherin Gourdon, the Lady of Burgavenny, the Lady Stourton, the Lady Dawbeney, the Lady Fitz Walter, the Lady Bray, the Lady Verney, the Lady Guildford, the Lady Capell, the Lady Petche.

Banneretts and Knights. Sir Edward Stanley, Sir Richard Guilford, Sir Thomas Lovell, Sir Richard Lews, Sir David Owen, Sir Walter Hungerford, Sir John Wingfeild, Sir Thomas Brandon, Sir William Tyler, Sir Edward Hungerford, Sir John Longford, Sir Gyles a Bruges, Sir Edward Stanhop, Sir John Digby, Sir John Petche, Sir William Vampage, Sir Rauf Verney, Sir William Seymour, Sir Robert Litton, Sir John Hufe, Sir Rowland Veilevyle, Sir William Rede, Sir Richard Cholmeley, Sir Rich. Andeborough, Sir Henry Roos, Sir Robert Clifford, Sir Richard Carew, Sir John Riseley.

Collectanea by John Leland. The IIIJth Day of the said Monneth [4th August 1503] the Qwene abode at the said Caftell, the wiche had grett Fest. Att foure of the Clok, after Dynner, the Archbyschopes of Yorke (age 54) and of Glasco, the Byschop of Durham, the Erle of Surrey (age 60), and th Erle Bothwell (age 51), acompayned of many others, Lordes, Knights, and Gentylmen, went to mett the Kynge, the wich was commyng for to se the Qwene ageyn, and to comforte hyr of sum Losse that she had had the Nyght before, by Fortune of Fyer, of her Pallefreys.

The Kynge fiyinge as the Bird that fyks hyr Prayr, tuke other Waye, and cam prively to the said Castell, and entred within the Chammer with a small Company, wher he founde the Qyvene playinge at the Cardes. At the Entrynge, the Qwene avaunced hyr toward hym in receyvinge hym varey gladly, and of Good Wyll kyssyng hym, and after he gaffe Salut to the Ladyes and Company presente.

In Commonynge togeder, cam the sam Lordes here abousse named, to whom the Kynge did Reverence, his Bonnett in hys Hannd, in specyall to the Arch Byschop of York, and to the Byschop of Durham, in welcomynge them. After som Wordes rehersed betwyx them, the Mynstrells begonne to play a basse Daunce, the wich was daunced by the said Qwene and the Countesse of Surrey (age 26).

After thys doon, tha-y playde a Rownde, the wich was daunced by the Lorde Gray ledynge the said Qwene acompayned of many Lordes, Ladyes, and Gentylwoemen. After was brought Wyn and Bred to the Kynge, the wiche tuke the Bred, and thereof served the said Qwene. Lykwys the Coupp of wich he fyrst servyd hyr. And after all, the Companv presente draunke also.

Incmntynent the Kynge begonne before hyr to play of the Claryeordes, and after of the Lute, wiche pleasyd hyr varey much, and she had grett Plaisur to here hym.

Apon the said Clarycorde Sir Edward Stannely playd a Baliade, and sange therwith, wiche the Kynge commended right muche. And incountynent hee called a Gentylman of hys that colde synge weil, and mayd them synge togeder, the wiche accorded varey well.

Afterward the said Sir Edward Stannely and two of hys Servaunts sange a Baliade or two, wherof the Kynge gave hym good Thaunke.

After all thyse Thyngs fullfylled, the Kynge tuke Licence of the Qwene, and kydded hyr, and also of all hyr noble Company, and went to hys Horse, on whom he did lepe, withont puttynge the Fowt within the Sterrop. And the said Horse was a right fayr Courser, and incontynent the King sporred, follow who myght. He was arayd of a Jakette of blak Velvett borded of the Selfe, and the Lists of the said Bordeur wer of cramsyn Veluyt, fourred with whytt.

The Erle of Surrey, acompayned of many Lordes, Knyghts, and others, folowed after, the wiche when the Kinge knew, he torned schortly, barre heded, and cam toward th’ Erle. And they rode a lityyl togeder in Spekynge, and after th’ Erle tuke Licence of hym, and retorned ageyn.

Collectanea by John Leland. The VIIth Day of the Monneth [7th August 1503] in the Morninge, the Kynge sent to the Qwene new Pallefrays, all appoynted after their Guise. And at the Hour acoustumed, she departed from the said Dacquick nobly acompayned, and in fayr Aray and Ordre, as before is many Tymes said: The Qwene was placed in her Litere, varey rychly enorned, and had on a ryche Gowne of Cloth of Gold, with a Pursill of black Velvet, and a rich Coller of Perle and Stone.

The Lords, as well Spiritualis as Temporalis, Knyghts, and Gentylmen, wer varey rychely appoynted, the most Parte in Gownes of cramfyn Velvett. The Lord Grays Hors was hussed, the said Husse maid by Cantons of cramsyn Velvett. Those of others wer of Thred of Gold broched, and others had Ermynes, abouff all sawen of Orsavery. The other yong Gentylmen wer apointed after the Manere of the Ysshew of Barrwyk.

After the Quene (age 13) was conveyd hyr Pallefrey of Honnor by Syr Thomas Worteley (age 70). Also hyr Ladyes and Gentylwomen war varey rychely apoynted and monted, that it was a fayr Syght. After them cam the Char, and after that other Gentylwomen. The Company was in fayr Ordre, as at other Tymes before.

A Mylle from Dacquick the Kynge sent to the Qwene, by a Gentylman, a grett tame Hart for to have a Corse; bot because the Kynge was ny, the Erle of Surrey (age 60) answerd, that the said Hert should be brought ageyn toward the Kynge, that they myght both be at the said Course, and so it was doon.

Half of the Way, the Kyng cam to mett hyr monted apon a Bay Horse, rennynge as he wolde renne after the Hayre, acompayned of many Gentylmen. The said Horse was trapped in a demy Trappure of Cloth of Gold. Apon the Neck was a Frange of Thred of Gold. The Sadle and the Harnays wer of that sam, except the Harnayes of the Hed, that was of Sylver, and gylt. Grett Boutons with Lupps of Thred of Gold, as well to the said Trappure, as to the Brydle. Hys Sterrops gylt.

The Kynge ware a Jakett lyke to the Trappure. The Lystes of the said Bordeur wer of Pourple Velvett fourred with fyne blak Bougy, his Doublet of Violet Sattin, his Hossys of Scarlatt, hys Schert bounde abouffe of fyn Pierrery iand Perles, hys Spourrys gylt and long. At the Commyng towardes the Qwene he maid hyr varey humble Obeyssannce in lepynge downe of hys Horse, and kyssed hyr in hyr Litere. This doon, he monted ageyn, and ychon being put in Ordre as before, a Gentylman Husscher bare the Swerde before hym. The said Swerde covered with a Scabard of Pourple Velvett, wich was written apon with Perles, God my Deffende. The lyke on the Pommell, and the Crosse, with the Chap also.

After hym cam th Archbyschop of Glasco, the Bishop of Morrey (age 38), and the Erle Bothwell (age 51), acompayned of many Gentylmen, and honnest Personnes. The said Erle bare the Swerde at the Entreng of the Towne of Edenbourgh, and had on a long Gowne of blak Velvett fourred with Marten.

The Kynge beynge allwayes ny to the Qwene in devysing with her, ther cam a Gentylman that bronght hym a Courser, his Harnays of Cloth of Gold, and of cramsyn Velvett interlassed all about of whytt and red. Apon the Horse was a Page in a Jakett of blew Damaske, upon the wiche Horse the Kyng monted, with out puttynge the Foot within the Sterrop, in the Presence of them all. After he caused the said Gentylman to monte behinde hym, for to assay iff his Courfer wolde berr byhynd or not.

Bot because that he was not drest, he cam downe of his said Horse, and monted upon the Pallefroy of the said Qwene, and the saide Quene behinde hym, and so rode thorow the said Towne of Edenburgh.

Ny thereby was in Ordre the Lord Hamylton (age 28), Cozyn of the saide Kynge, with many other Lords, Knyghts, and Gentylmen, to the Nombre of two hundreth Horsys well apoynted. Sum in Jaketts of Cloth of Golde, of Velvetty and of Damaske, figured of Golde, and of many Colours. In lyke wys others wer in Jakets of Chamlett, and many of thos wore varey good Chaynnes.

And by hym rode the Master of hys Horse, named Companes Gascon, varey well appoynted, conveying seyve yong Gentylmen of Honor, arayd of Jaketts half parted of Cloth of Gold figured, and of blew Velvett, monted upon Coursers, and others honnestly appoynted.

The Company abouffe said wer commaunded by the Kynge, that they schould not goe before, bot only in the Company of the sayd Qwene, that it might be seen that shee was well acompayned, and rychly.

Halfe a Mylle ny to that, within a Medewe, was a Pavillon, wherof cam owt a Knyght on Horsbak, armed at all Peces, havyng hys Lady Paramour that barre his Horne. And by Avantur, ther cam an other also armed, that cam to hym, and robbed from hym hys sayd Lady, and at the absenting blew the said Horne, wherby the said Knyght understude hym, and tourned after hym, and said to hym, wherfor hast thou this doon? He answerd hym, what will you, say therto? — I say, that I will pryve apon thee, that thou hast doon Owtrage to me. The tother demaunded hym if he was armed? He said ye, well then, said th’other, preve the a Man, and doo thy Devoir.

In such Manere they departed, and went to take their Sperys, and renne without stryking of the same. After the Course they retourned with their Swerdes in their Haunds, and maid a varey fayr Torney: And the Caller caused the Swerd for to fall of the Defender. Notwithstanding, the Caller caused to gyfte hym ageyn his Swerd, and begon ageyn the said Torney of more fayre Manere; and they did well ther Devor, tyll that the Kynge cam hymselfe, the Qwene behynd hym, crying Paix, and caused them for to be departed. After this the King called them before hym, and demaunded them the Cause of ther Difference. The Caller sayd, Syre, he hath taken from me my Lady Paramour, whereof I was insurte of hyr by Faith. The defender answered, Syre, I schall defend me ageynst hym apon thys Cas: Then sayd the Kynge to the sayd Defender, brynge youre Frends, and ye schall be appoynted a Day for to agre you. Wheroff they thaunked hym, and so every Men departed them for to drawe toward the said Towne. The Names of thos war Sir Patryk Hamilton, Brother of the said Lord abouffe said, and Patryk Synklar, Esquyre; and ther was com grett Multitude of People for to se thys.

Half a Mylle from thens was the said Hert, the wich the Kynge caused to be losed, and put a Greyhond after hym that maid a fayr Course; bot the said Hert wanne the Towne, and went to hys Repayre.

Ther war many honest People of the Town, and of the Countre aboute, honnestly arayd all on Horsbak, and so by Ordre the King and the Qwene entred within the said Towne. At the Entrynue or that same cam in Processyon the Grey Freres, with the Crosse and sum Relicks, the wich was presented by the Warden to the Kynge for to kysse, bot he wold not before the Qwene; and he had hys Hed barre during the Ceremonies.

TheMynstrells, Johannes, and hys Company. and the Trompetts, war as well of the one Syd as of the other; bot thos of Scotlaund had no new Baneres: And did the Devor at the said Entryng Officers of Armes of Inglaund; and non at Scotlaund. Sergents of Masses, &c. ychon, by Ordre.

A lityll more fourther cam also in Processyon the Jocobins, revested the most Chyst and Principali of them, with many Reiicks; wherof some of thos war by the Prior gyffen to kysse, in lyke wys; wherof the K. did as before.

At the Entryng of the said Towne was maid a Yatt of Wood painted with Two Towrells, and a Windowe in the Midds. In the wich Towrells was, at the Windowes, revested Angelis syngyng joyously for the Comynge of so noble a Lady; and at the sayd middie Windowe was in lyk wys an Angeli presenting the Kees to the said Qwene.

Within the Towne ny to the said Yatt came in Processyon the College of the Perysche of Seint Gilles, rychly revested, with the Arme of that Seint; the wiche was presented to the Kynge for to kysse; wherof he did as before, and began to synge Te Deum Laudamus.

In the Mydds of the Towne was a Crosse, new painted, and ny to that same a Fontayne, cassynge forth of Wyn, and ychon drank that wold.

Ny to that Crosse was a Scarfawst maid, wher was represented Paris and the Thre Deessys, with Mercure, that gaffe hym th Apyll of Gold, for to gyffe to the most fayre of the Thre, wiche he gave to Venus.

In the Scarfsawst was represented also the Salutacion of Gabriell to the Virgyne, in sayinge Ave gratia, and sens after, the Sollempnizacion of the varey Maryage betwix the said Vierge and Joseph.

More fourther was of new maid One other Yatt, apon the wiche was in Sieges the IIIJ Vertuz. Theys is to weyct. Justice, holdynge in hyr right Hannde a Swerde all naked, and in the t'other a Pair of Ballaunces, and she had under hyr Feet the Kyng Nero: Force, armed, holdyng in hyr Haund a Shafte, and under hyr Feete was Holofernes, all armed: Temperance, holdyng in hyr Hannd a Bitt of an Horse, and under hyr Feete was Epicurus: Prudence, holdynge in hyr Haunde a Syerge, and under hyr Sardenapalus. With thos war Tabretts that playd merrily, whill the noble Company past thorough. Under was a Licorne [Unicorn] and a Greyhound, that held a Difference of one Chardon [thistle] florysched, and a Red Rose entrelassed.

Then the noble Company passed out of the Towne, to the Church of the Holy Crosse [Map]¹; out of wich cam the Archbischop of Sannt Andrew (age 27), Brother to the said Kynge, his Crosse borne before hym, acompanyed of the Reverend Fathers in God the Byschop of Aberdeen Lord Privy Seal of Scotland, the Byschops of Orkney, Cathness, Ross, Dunblane, and Dunkeld, and many Abbotts, all in their Pontificalis, with the Religious and Chanoynes richly revested, preceded by theyr Crosse. The said Archi Byschop then gave the King a Relik for to kysse, bot he dyd as hee had doon before.

After thys doon, ychon lept off hys Horse, and in fayr Ordre went after the Processyon to the Church, and in the Entryng of that sam the Kyng and the Qwene light downe, and after he take the said Qwene by the Body, doynge humble Reverence, and led hyr to the grett Awter, wher was a Place ordonned for them to knele apon two Cuschyons of Cloth of Gold, the Lord Chammerlayn of the said Qwene excersyng hys Office as before.

But the Kynge wold never knell downe furst, bot both togeder: And by the said ArchByschop was giffen hym to kysse a rich Crosse, wheroff he did as before, without Offrynge and at the Entring of the said Quere, the Chappelle of the said Kinge, and others, begon Te Deum, &c.

After all Reverences doon at the Church, in Ordre as before, the King transported himself to the Pallais, thorough the Clostre, holdynge allwayes the Qwene by the Body, and hys Hed barre, tyll he had brought hyr within her Chammer.

In the said Church war the Lordes the Erle of [his brother-in-law] Hontely, the Erle of Errol (age 54) Constable of Scotland, the Erle Mariscall of Scotland, the Erle of Argyle (age 54) Steward of the Hows, the Erle of Lennos Chammerlayne in the Absence of the Conte of Cathness, the Erle of Minster, and the [his brother-in-law] Erle Morton, acompayned of many Lordes, Knyghts, and Gentylmen, well arayd. The wich maid Reverence to the Qwene, and she to them.

The Kynge went from thens to the grett Chammer, wher was many Ladies of grett Name, Wyffes to divers of the sayd Lordes, and others, acompayned of many Gentylmen and Gentylwomen, arayd varey nobly after ther Gyse. At the Entrynge the said Chambre, the Kyng let go the Qwene till she had kyssed all the sayd Ladies and ther Company; and the Byschop of Morrey went with her, sewinge her the Names of them. After she had kyssed them all, the Kyng kyssed her for hyr Labor: And so tuke hyr ageyn, with low Cortesay and barr Hed, and brought hyr to hyr Second Chammer, and kyssed her ageyn; taking his Leve right humble he drew toward hys Lodgynge for them appoynted.

The Towne of Edenbourgh was in many Places haunged with Tappissery, the Howses and Wyndowes war full of Lordes, Ladyes, Gentylwomen, and Gentylmen, and in the Streytts war soe grett Multitude of People without Nombre, that it was a fayr Thynge to se. The wich People war varey glad of the Commynge of the sayd Qwene: And in the Churches of the sayd Towne Bells range for Myrthe.

The sam Day the Kynge souped in hys Chammer, acompayned of many of the Parte of the said Qwene within hyr awn. And after that, the Kynge went to see hyr, an daunced some basse Daunces. Thys doon, the Kynge toke hys Leve, and bad her goode Nyght joyously, and after the same to ychon also.

Note 1. a 'rood' is a medieval word for 'crucifix' or cross hence 'rood screen'. The Church of the Holy Cross in Edinburgh is Holyrood.